NEW Interior LED Mod Thread
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,987
Likes: 18
From: DuBois PA
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Michael posted an excellent DIY in here when he did his PRNDL. I believe he modified his waveguide... Look for strips that have discreet LEDs that can be tilted;
http://superbrightleds.com/light_bars-flexible.html
Top LED Strip, as an example...
You might also get good results with some of the newer multi SMD LED bulbs out now, look for one that focuses alot of light towards the front and sides...
Tim
http://superbrightleds.com/light_bars-flexible.html
Top LED Strip, as an example...
You might also get good results with some of the newer multi SMD LED bulbs out now, look for one that focuses alot of light towards the front and sides...
Tim
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 9
From: McCall Idaho
My one real contribution to this thread...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1568687300-post285.html
Be sure to check the bulb socket thoroughly! Mine was heat stressed and disintegrated in my hands...
Aloha
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 2
From: Chicago IL
As an alternative to single bulb replacement...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1568687300-post285.html
Be sure to check the bulb socket thoroughly! Mine was heat stressed and disintegrated in my hands...
Aloha
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1568687300-post285.html
Be sure to check the bulb socket thoroughly! Mine was heat stressed and disintegrated in my hands...
Aloha
I don't really want to go into soldering and splicing. I prefer to avoid any chance of messing up... I'm not as handy as you guys.
If I have time in the winter we'll see about this mod!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 177
From: Houston, Texas FEAR THE BONES
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Here are some fuzzy pics of my blown A/C controller circuit boards. In the first pic, you can see the power board track that fried. Can this be repaired?
In this pic, you can see where I messed up one of the bulbs on the light board. I think this is what caused my power board to short out. Can this be repaired?
In this pic, you can see where I messed up one of the bulbs on the light board. I think this is what caused my power board to short out. Can this be repaired?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,987
Likes: 18
From: DuBois PA
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Yes and yes... I can fix that BUT if another component ( other then the one I suspect) is blown then I probably can't do much for that. If I had a damn schematic for the boards I could...
Anyway, let's get with JW and figure out a fair price....
Tim
Anyway, let's get with JW and figure out a fair price....
Tim
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,093
Likes: 267
From: Oklahoma City
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
We have options for your footwell and cargo areas.
Cheap and good lighting (both)- http://www.shop.jwmotoring.com/produ...0&categoryId=4
Not as cheap, but better lighting (footwells)- http://www.shop.jwmotoring.com/produ...9&categoryId=4
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 787
Likes: 11
From: Santa Rosa California
Very weird!
We have options for your footwell and cargo areas.
Cheap and good lighting (both)- http://www.shop.jwmotoring.com/produ...0&categoryId=4
Not as cheap, but better lighting (footwells)- http://www.shop.jwmotoring.com/produ...9&categoryId=4
We have options for your footwell and cargo areas.
Cheap and good lighting (both)- http://www.shop.jwmotoring.com/produ...0&categoryId=4
Not as cheap, but better lighting (footwells)- http://www.shop.jwmotoring.com/produ...9&categoryId=4
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
TSTAR, I just pulled the passanger side window switch out and I want to replace the bulbs with the red LED's but they are a direct replacement and I dont see how to get the resistor in there as well, BTW will a 1/4 watt resistor work or do I need the 1/2 watt? Thank you If you have any pics of that job that would be cool. Dave
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,987
Likes: 18
From: DuBois PA
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
"Direct Replacements" such as the plug and play LEDs with the bases already?? If so those already have LEDs built into them...
Were the called type 74 or NEO Wedge ?????
Tim
PS 1/4 Watts are fine for discreet LEDs...
Were the called type 74 or NEO Wedge ?????
Tim
PS 1/4 Watts are fine for discreet LEDs...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
I used the quarters and the passenger side came out nice,, sure the light is not overwhelming but honestly when you are driving at night the interior lights can be a freaking killer. I soldered the lights in directly and I am thrilled with it all I plan on doing it all and your thread will be my guidline for the install. Thank you.
CF "Young" Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 26
From: Cupertino CA
St. Jude Donor '12
Some damn useful info and great ideas in this thread!
I ordered a set of about 20 of the ozium premade bulbs and swapped out the trunk release, both doors, and the traction control switch today. Since the ozium bulb housings are too big to properly fit into the stock spaces, I unwound the wiring from the ozium and stock bulbs and swapped the LEDs into the stock housings. All went in with no problems and the rebuilt lights worked like a charm.
The only place that seems to not light up so well is the traction control. Has anyone figured out a way of improving the lighting in that which doesn't involve hacking it apart or soldering lights directly to the board? Reflective materials perhaps?
Also, JW / Tim, I really dig the under-door lighting for when the doors are open, but I'm none too hot on just slapping a strip of LEDs under the door. Have either of you looked into a directed lighting setup that would replace the butt-ugly red reflector that's factory installed with some kind of directed lighting setup? I know I've seen some mods that put a light behind it, but I'd sooner be rid of that thing with some hidden lighting behind a panel.
I ordered a set of about 20 of the ozium premade bulbs and swapped out the trunk release, both doors, and the traction control switch today. Since the ozium bulb housings are too big to properly fit into the stock spaces, I unwound the wiring from the ozium and stock bulbs and swapped the LEDs into the stock housings. All went in with no problems and the rebuilt lights worked like a charm.
The only place that seems to not light up so well is the traction control. Has anyone figured out a way of improving the lighting in that which doesn't involve hacking it apart or soldering lights directly to the board? Reflective materials perhaps?
Also, JW / Tim, I really dig the under-door lighting for when the doors are open, but I'm none too hot on just slapping a strip of LEDs under the door. Have either of you looked into a directed lighting setup that would replace the butt-ugly red reflector that's factory installed with some kind of directed lighting setup? I know I've seen some mods that put a light behind it, but I'd sooner be rid of that thing with some hidden lighting behind a panel.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,987
Likes: 18
From: DuBois PA
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Yeah there's ALOT of info in here, just takes some time decyphering it.... pun intended! 
The Traction Plate is a real problem with LEDs... I've found it best to remove the wave guide and insert a 3mm LED into the back of the Traction Button by drilling a hole in the back of it. I think that procedure is in here. Gary came up with a way to solder a LED in with longer leads and having it extended below the PCB and aimed right at the back of the button, this works well for bright LEDs like Blue and White...
You can try to wrap the wave giude with a reflective material like mylar or aluminum foil like in the Radio. I use metal duct tape in the Radio... Do you have Selective Ride?
Tim
The Traction Plate is a real problem with LEDs... I've found it best to remove the wave guide and insert a 3mm LED into the back of the Traction Button by drilling a hole in the back of it. I think that procedure is in here. Gary came up with a way to solder a LED in with longer leads and having it extended below the PCB and aimed right at the back of the button, this works well for bright LEDs like Blue and White...
You can try to wrap the wave giude with a reflective material like mylar or aluminum foil like in the Radio. I use metal duct tape in the Radio... Do you have Selective Ride?
Tim
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,987
Likes: 18
From: DuBois PA
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Oops... Missed one!
No I haven't looked at replacing the reflector, that would take some fabricating! I'm more into adapting what's already there... Now this might be right up Michael's (Mnt8dv, I think) alley though!
Tim
No I haven't looked at replacing the reflector, that would take some fabricating!
I'm more into adapting what's already there... Now this might be right up Michael's (Mnt8dv, I think) alley though! Tim
CF "Young" Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 26
From: Cupertino CA
St. Jude Donor '12
Nope, just the traction control button. It's amazing how indirect the light is behind that thing, especially considering there's two lights (now LEDs) on that board! 
Yah. I'm temted to pop one of the reflectors off and take a look at the space it occupies, just to see what you could cram in there.
For the existing reflector LED mods and under-door strips, is there a power source within the door that coud light up the 'courtesy light' it would provide, or is it something that's got to go all the way back to the interior?
For the existing reflector LED mods and under-door strips, is there a power source within the door that coud light up the 'courtesy light' it would provide, or is it something that's got to go all the way back to the interior?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,987
Likes: 18
From: DuBois PA
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Yeah it's the narrow beam of the LEDs that make them a challenge in certain applications. This one in particular is VERY frustrating...
Not really, the only power source suitable is in the Door Switch and if you used that the lights would be on whenever you have your parking or headlights on... the footwell lights are the best place for what you're considering and also the outer door handle LEDs if you're so inclined...
Tim
Not really, the only power source suitable is in the Door Switch and if you used that the lights would be on whenever you have your parking or headlights on... the footwell lights are the best place for what you're considering and also the outer door handle LEDs if you're so inclined...
Tim
CF "Young" Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 26
From: Cupertino CA
St. Jude Donor '12
Not really, the only power source suitable is in the Door Switch and if you used that the lights would be on whenever you have your parking or headlights on... the footwell lights are the best place for what you're considering and also the outer door handle LEDs if you're so inclined...
Tim
Tim
Seeing as I'm slowly acruing the body parts for my car's external makeover, I'm still toying with the idea of a shaved door handle setup. I'm intrigued by the fender cove lighting idea, but I can't come up with a color that I'd want to do. I'd like to do some kind of custom external lighting on my ride, but nothing's come to mind yet that really sits well with me.
